Chapter 60
Adam stood outside the restaurant, his heart pounding as he adjusted the cuffs of his shirt for the tenth time.
He was dressed in a crisp navy suit that hugged his frame perfectly, but for once, his confidence was shaky. He checked his watch and rubbed his hands together nervously, glancing up every few seconds toward the street.
When Sophie finally appeared, Adam’s breath hitched. She was radiant, her simple but elegant emerald-green dress accentuating her beauty in a way that made him forget everything else. She smiled, her eyes lighting up when she spotted him.
“Am I late?” Sophie teased as she approached, her heels clicking softly against the pavement.
Adam chuckled, pulling her into a warm embrace. “You’re perfect,” he whispered before placing a kiss on her forehead.
They walked into the restaurant, where the ambiance was intimate and romantic. The soft glow of candles flickered on each table, but there wasn’t a single patron in sight.
Sophie raised an eyebrow, glancing around. “Wait… did you book the entire place?”
Adam smirked, leading her to a table in the center of the room. “Of course. You deserve it. Tonight’s all about us.”
Sophie laughed, shaking her head. “Adam Monroe, always extra.”
“Only for you,” he replied smoothly, pulling out her chair before taking his seat across from her.
The dinner was exquisite, with courses arriving one after another, each more delicious than the last.
They talked about everything and nothing, laughter filling the room as they reminisced about their earlier days.
“Remember that time you tried to cook me dinner and almost burned the apartment down?” Sophie teased, her eyes twinkling.
Adam groaned, running a hand through his hair. “I thought we agreed to never speak of that again.”
“But it was adorable!” Sophie laughed. “You were so determined to impress me, and then you set the fire alarm off.”
Adam leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand as he gazed at her. “Well, I must have done something right. You married me, didn’t you?”
Sophie’s laughter softened, her cheeks flushing. “Yeah, I did.”
A moment of silence passed between them, the weight of their journey settling in the air.
Adam cleared his throat and reached into his pocket. “Speaking of marriage…”
Sophie’s brows knitted in confusion as he stood up and walked around the table. Before she could say a word, he dropped to one knee, holding a small black velvet box in his hand.
Her breath caught as he opened it to reveal her wedding ring — the same one she had left behind on the matrimonial bed before walking out of their home.
“Sophie,” Adam began, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “I know we’re technically still married, but I don’t want what we have to feel like a continuation of something that broke. I want a fresh start. A new beginning, with you. Will you… will you be my wife again?”
Tears welled in Sophie’s eyes, one slipping down her cheek as she stared at him. “Adam…” she whispered, her voice trembling.
“Say yes,” he urged, a hopeful smile on his lips.
She opened her mouth to reply, but before she could utter a word, a familiar voice cut through the intimate moment.
“Sophie!”
Both Adam and Sophie turned toward the entrance, where Alex stood, his face twisted in anger and disbelief.
He strode toward them, his gaze locked on Sophie.
“Sophie,” he said again, grabbing her hand and pulling her to her feet. “Did you forget what happened last night? I asked you to marry me, and you agreed. And now you’re here, with him?”
Adam stood, the shock on his face replaced by confusion and rage. “What are you talking about, Alex?”
Sophie pulled her hand away from Alex, her voice firm. “Stop it, Alex. This isn’t the time or place for this.”
Adam’s eyes darted between them. “Sophie… is he telling the truth?”
“No!” Sophie snapped, her voice rising. She turned to Adam, her expression pleading. “Adam, I swear, it’s not what it sounds like.”
Alex laughed bitterly. “Not what it sounds like? Sophie, don’t lie to him. You said yes to me last night. You can’t just switch between us like we’re interchangeable!”
Adam’s fists clenched, his voice deadly calm. “You’d better start explaining yourself, Alex. What’s going on here?”
Alex smirked, crossing his arms. “Oh, I think Sophie should do the explaining. Tell him, Sophie. Tell him about last night.”
Sophie’s face turned pale, but she stood her ground. “There’s nothing to tell, Adam. He’s lying.”
Adam looked into her eyes, searching for the truth. “Sophie… I need to hear it from you. Did you… did you agree to marry him?”
“No,” she said firmly, her voice steady despite the tears streaming down her face. “Adam, I didn’t.”
Alex scoffed. “You’re really going to believe her over me?”
“Every damn time,” Adam shot back, stepping protectively in front of Sophie.
Adam squared his shoulders, his voice cold. “The only mistake here is you think you can manipulate her or me. Get out, Alex.”
Alex suddenly smirked and muttered. “Well, we had a wonderful night together last night, didn’t we, Sophie?”
Adam’s jaw dropped, the box slipping slightly in his hand. “What the hell…?”
